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About the Author: Matt Matera
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Pewter Report’s Bucs Camp Diaries, a popular training camp feature on PewterReport.com, returns in 2022. We are fortunate to have two really good players to profile in veteran defensive end Pat O’Connor and rookie running back Rachaad White, the Bucs’ third-round pick.
O’Connor will offer up his perspective of Todd Bowles’ defense and special teams. White will take readers through the experience of rookie life in his first training camp in Tampa Bay in the Bucs offense. Look for O’Connor and White’s Bucs Camp Diaries each week throughout training camp and the preseason.
O’Connor is heading into his sixth NFL season with the Bucs. After moving up and down from the practice squad to the active roster, he has solidified himself on the 53-man roster over the last two years in the rotation on the defensive line. O’Connor has notched 1.5 sacks over the past two years and he’s also carved out a niche as a core special teamer. He’ll compete in training camp again to earn a roster spot this season, and also has an opportunity to earn a role as a special teams captain.
O’Connor re-signed with the Bucs on a one-year deal this offseason. Unfortunately, he suffered a season-ending knee injury against the Saints last year, but he is fully cleared and ready to roll for camp.
It Was Good To Get Another Sack
By Pat O’Connor as told by Scott Reynolds and Matt Matera
Another Game, Another Sack
Bucs DE Pat O’Connor – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
It was good to get another sack. He [Malik Willis] was super slippery, super strong. We had a good performance as a D-line up front. [Deadrin] Senat had really good pressure. He got credit for half the sack and so did I. Our edge rushers kind of funneled him in to us, so it was overall a good effort. It’s always exciting getting a sack, but it was a collective effort kind of thing.
Our front seven has been playing super well together. We’re all firing on all cylinders so it’s kind of easy, especially when you got great pass rushers like Logan [Hall] and Bennie [Potoa’e] and everybody aside of you. It’s pretty easy when everyone’s going.
Adding Former Teammate Nassib To The D-Line
Carl, he brings a little juice to the table. He’s a super, super smart athlete and he knows what’s coming, which is really good. It’s always good to have an older guy at outside linebacker trying to get everybody going. It was really good to see him and good to have him back. His pass rush is really good.
The Return Of Brady And Evans
We all know Tom, he had something to do. He’s an older guy in the league, he can do whatever has to be done, you know? Having him back is always good, vocal leaders, and it’s always good to see their faces around here.
Tom’s Tom, so he does whatever. And then with Mike, he’s running routes really well. No concerns about them.
Special Teams Review And A Standout Player On It
We’ve got to come together and cover better. We let a few (returns) get out. It looked like we were a little gassed out there. No excuses, but we’ve got to cover better – blocking, tackling and running. We’ll get better. It’s good that it’s the preseason. We’ll get better heading into Indy and it would be nice to close out the preseason with a little dub (win) and we’ll see what happens.
He’s (Olakunle Fatukasi) playing really well for us, especially on special teams. He’s gotten into his playbook and he’s playing fast and physical full-time on defense and on special teams. So that’s good to see. He’s putting everything together and becoming a complete player. And I hear he’s filling up the stat sheet. He’s balling.
Bonding On The First Road Trip Of The Season
Bucs DE Pat O’Connor – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
This week in Tennessee came closer together. You would go out to eat with people that you normally don’t eat with. Being cooped up in the hotel, you kind of step out of your comfort zone and socialize with people that you might not normally would. It was good to have everyone come together and get closer. It was a good little trip.
Getting Into A Routine
I’m a big routine guy. Knowing when we’re going to get there and when we’re going to get out and everything is kind of something that is more ideal for me, in my opinion. Other people can have their own opinion, but I like that, more or less.
Playing Outside On Natural Grass vs. Indoor On Turf In Indy
Not really [a difference], turf nowadays is damn near the same as grass. Everyone likes playing on grass more. It feels better on the feet and everything. A little faster, so I like grass better. It’s not that really important to me, though, just play ball.
Favorite Road City To Travel To
I like playing in Chicago, it’s always fun. I like going out to the West Coast, playing over in Seattle is fun. I want to play in Kansas City, but I would say Seattle and Chicago are my favorites.
